Photo by John Berry 2008Christopher Celentano stands before Rev. Thomas J. Costello and priests before being ordained a a priest during ordination ceremonies in 2008 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Catholics will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the cathedral's consecration on Sunday.

Syracuse, NY – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with a special Mass and open house Sunday.

Bishop Robert J. Cunningham will offer the Mass, scheduled for 9:45 a.m. Tours of the cathedral will be available during the open house, set for 2 to 4 p.m.

Construction on what originally was St. Mary’s Church began in 1874. However, under Catholic Church law, a church only can be consecrated exclusively for worship once it is free of debt, diocese officials said.

Bishop Patrick Ludden moved his seat from St. John the Evangelist to St. Mary's in 1904, renaming St. Mary's the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the process.

Its third pastor, the Rev. John Grimes, paid off its $250,000 debt, allowing the cathedral to be consecrated on Sept. 25, 1910. Grimes became bishop two years later.